Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Darwin, CA

DISCUSSION
through Thursday.

The cooling trend of the past few days will continue into early next week, with cooler than normal temperatures returning to the region over the weekend. The pattern change responsible for this cool down is also responsible for today's gusty southerly-to-southwesterly winds across the Mojave Desert through Death Valley and into the southern Great Basin, as well as the Owens Valley. Speaking of the Owens Valley, westerly downslope winds will be possible across Highway 395 in the southern Owens Valley later this afternoon through early evening. This will make for hazardous driving conditions for high profile vehicles. A Wind Advisory has been issued for the western Mojave Desert, Morongo Basin, southwestern Great Basin, and Owens Valley from noon today through 11:00 pm this evening. Another area of concern when it comes to today's winds is the Colorado River Valley, where strong southerly winds will result in 1 to 3 foot waves on Lake Mohave with 1 to 2 foot waves on Lake Mead. As such, a Lake Wind Advisory has been issued for the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (including Lake Mohave) for this afternoon and evening. Winds will remain elevated in the higher terrain on Saturday, but lower elevations and valleys will see a relative decrease on Saturday before winds ramp back up on Sunday.

Increased precipitation chances will also accompany this pattern shift. Showers today and tomorrow will largely be limited to the Eastern Sierra, where a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for elevations above 8,000 feet from tonight through Sunday evening.
3 to 7 inches of new snow will be possible between 8,000 and 9,500 feet, with locally higher totals above 9,500 feet near the ridgeline. The rest of southeastern California, southern Nevada, and northwestern Arizona will have to wait until the low pressure system begins to move through the area on Sunday for their shot at seeing precipitation. Overall, precipitation will largely favor areas of higher terrain with the rain shadow effect limiting precipitation in lower elevations downstream. As this low pressure system moves through the region, instability will increase, bringing chances for isolated thunderstorm activity to portions of the region. For most of the area outside of the Eastern Sierra, precipitation is expected to fall as rain.
However, light snow accumulations will be possible across the mountains and higher terrain of the southern Great Basin as well as the Spring Mountains; these accumulations are not expected to be enough to cause any noteworthy impacts. Precipitation chances will linger into early next week as the low pressure system exits the region. Behind this low, high pressure will gradually rebuild with a warming and drying trend expected.

AVIATION
For Harry Reid
For the 06Z Forecast Package
Breezy southwesterly winds should decrease tonight, but gusts of at least 15 to 20 knots will continue. These winds should increase late Friday morning with gusts between 20 and 25 knots. Mid and high clouds will gradually decrease in coverage through the forecast period.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California
For the 06Z Forecast Package
Breezy south to southwest winds may weaken tonight, but should remain elevated across much of the area, including the Las Vegas Valley. Winds will strengthen again tomorrow morning with widespread gusts between 20 and 25 knots, as well as gusts of around 30 knots at KDAG and KBIH.
Mid and high clouds will gradually decrease in coverage through the forecast period.

SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT
Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures.